Steeping. How is it done properly? Why is it done? What are the Benefits of Steeping?

[Radar2013]

I have read a lot of post on here where people talk about steeping their juices when they get them. What is steeping? How is it done properly? Why is it done? and what are the benefits of steeping? I honestly do not know this that is why I am asking.

 

[Gaspar74]

I'm new to this but I have researched this a bit and steeping essentially is a process in which the flavors of freshly made juice meld together. There are various methods of doing this but basically when you get
New juice the flavors may
Not be optimized yet. The steeping process gives the ejuice time to "setup" so to speak. Some juices are good to go right out of the bottle and others need time for all the flavors to mix properly. The juice I buy is made fresh on the spot and its never as good the first day. I've been shaking it vigorously when I receive it. I take cap off and squeeze air out repeatedly then close shake again and put in a cool spot. I have also put my juice in a pot of hot water and simmered
It on stove for a while to heat juice up. This seems to help with flavors mixing together properly. Others will shake let it sit shake sit etc for weeks. I don't have the privilege of having so many juices that I have time for that.
As I said
I'm new but I have noticed juice gets better when it's had time to properly mix.
Some vendors their juices are already steeped because they weren'tade that same day. Best bet is to salt he vendor if it was made that day and if steeping is required.

 

[Gaspar74]

Forgive typos I'm on Mobile.

 

[Texmac1011]

I agree with Gaspar. I started getting my juice at a local store that mixes the juice when you buy. I bought pineapple that tasted just okay the 1st day. About 4 days later, it was so strong I had to add some unflavored juice to it.

 

[Jazzi Mike]

You do not need to warm your fresh juice on a stove as the poster a few above me suggested. That is ridiculous.

Basically, most juice vendors mix a batch explicitly for your order (the PG/VG ratio, etc..). It takes a while for the flavors to settle down, mix, and get right. It is everything mixing together, ala making spaghetti sauce or chili, in which you have to give it a few days for the flavors to get to know each other.

There are many different ways people steep their juices, such as shaking them up everyday or leaving the juice with the top off for 24 hours. It comes down to this: juice just needs to age. The magic number is 7 days; however, depending on the type of juice you get, it could take up to 2-4 weeks. There are many variables to this. Larger bottles take longer to steep. Blends with a lot of VG take longer to steep and tobacco flavors usually take longer to steep. There is no 'right' way to steep. Personally, I just taste test my juice and if it is good, I go with it. If it is perfume-y or tastes chemical-like, I leave it alone for a while.